County of Union, New JerseyDefault category for all normal press releases
Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded present a resolution to Daniel Sullivan commending him on 50 years of service to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad as well as a host of other responsibilities throughout the State of New Jersey. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella and Freeholder Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada present a resolution to Sally Straus of the Township of Union congratulating her for her dedication to her community and all its residents. They were joined by State Senator Joe Cryan and former State Senator Anthony E. Russo.
Sally Straus has been directly involved in many programs on a daily basis in the Township of Union, including activities for the betterment of its youth and senior citizens, and she has been extremely active in all those organizations and committees that are devoted to helping the Township of Union to be a better place. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Vice Chairman Angel G. Estrada, Freeholder Angela Garretson and Freeholder Andrea Staten this morning welcomed leadership coach Tony Chatman as the keynote speaker at the 4th Annual Union County Means Business Networking Breakfast at Kean University in Union. Tony Chatman has worked with hundreds of corporations and government agencies including the Chase Bank, Estee Lauder, NOAA and NASA.
Union County Means Business is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, aimed at connecting the business community with hands-on guidance and resources for growth. For more information about Union County Means Business programs, visit ucnj.org/ucmb.
(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County, NJ — Union County Clerk Joanne Rajoppi will host a training seminar for New Jersey Notaries Public at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains, on Friday, April 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“We offer this opportunity as a professional course that benefits the whole community, and all are welcome,” said Ms. Rajoppi. “The seminar is also popular with current notaries who wish to ensure that they are up to date on issues affecting notaries.”
Ms. Rajoppi will introduce the session and review the application process. Union County Surrogate LaCorte, Esq. will speak about the legal aspects of the functions of notaries public.
The seminar will cover the steps for proper notarization and other topics, including how to complete a notary journal and how to examine identification documents.
Coffee and a light breakfast will be served. Attendees should note that the Business Casual dress code at the John J. Stamler Police Academy is strictly enforced. Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, and men must wear shirts with collars.
Registration is required to attend and space is limited to the first 50 registrants. A fee of $10.00 is required to secure a spot. Downloadable registration forms are available through the County Clerk’s website, at ucnj.org/county-clerk/new-jersey-notary-training.
For additional information contact Donna Connell, 908-527-4999 or dconnell@ucnj.org.
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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Union County, NJ – The Union County Commission on the Status of Women is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2020 Women of Excellence Awards. Ten Union County women were selected to receive awards for their outstanding contributions. The awardees will be honored at the annual Women of Excellence Gala Awards Dinner on March 27, 2020.
“For 28 years, the Freeholder Board has recognized women among us who lead, serve, and inspire. Through their work, they raise awareness about the influence of women in every sphere of the Union County community, from business and legal affairs to public service and education,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to acknowledge their contributions towards a positive difference in the quality of life for everyone in the County.”
The Union County women being recognized for their accomplishments by the Commission on the Status of Women are:
Each awardee will be presented with an engraved Women of Excellence plaque and a Freeholder Resolution in their honor recognizing their impact on the Union County community.
The 2020 Women of Excellence Gala Awards Dinner will be held on March 27 at 6:00 p.m., at the Gran Centurions in Clark. The cost is $60 per person.
The Women of Excellence awards are sponsored by the Freeholder Board and the Union County Commission on the Status of Women, with the Union County Office on Women.
For any questions or to get more information about the Women of Excellence awards program and dinner, contact Nancy Malta, Commissioner Administrative Liaison at 908-527-4298 or nmalta@ucnj.org or Jen Erdos, Secretary to the Commission on the Status of Women, at 908-527-4216 or jerdos@ucnj.org.
For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2020 Union County Means Green community garden grants program. The UC Means Green program supports improved nutrition as well as new opportunities for recreation, social activities, education and community service through the experience of growing fresh produce in local neighborhoods.
“UC Means Green enables gardeners of all ages and abilities to work cooperatively, share with the community, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing fresh food,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
UC Means Green was launched by the Freeholder Board in 2016. Since then, it has helped to transform bare fields and empty lots into thriving centers for community activities, with thousands of pounds of fresh produce raised for local consumption and donated to local food pantries.
Any Union County municipality or local nonprofit organization with 501-(c)-3 tax exempt status is welcome to apply for a UC Means Green grant. Groups organized as LLCs or other commercial entities are not eligible to apply. Gardens must be located on municipal property or on property owned by a non-profit organization (gardens located on privately owned or commercial property are not eligible).
In addition to traditional soil-based gardens, eligible garden types include but are not limited to rooftop gardens, vertical gardens, aeroponic gardens, mushroom gardens, milk crate gardens, pollinator gardens (must include food-producing plants), rain gardens (must include pollinator-attracting and food-producing plants), hay bale gardens, forest gardens and more.
Applications for a 2020 grant are due by March 27.
The non-profit organization Groundwork Elizabeth administers UC Means Green on behalf of the Freeholder Board. For more information and a downloadable application form, visit Union County online at ucnj.org/garden-grant or contact Groundwork Elizabeth, 908-289-0262 or info@groundworkelizabeth.org.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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Union County, NJ – Whether it’s leadership, sales, inclusion, culture, change, or customer service, building a business is all about relationships. That is the theme of the fourth annual Union County Means Business Networking Breakfast, featuring internationally known leadership coach Tony Chatman. All Union County business owners, managers and entrepreneurs are welcome to attend.
Limited seating is available for the event, on Wednesday, February 19 at 8:30 a.m. at the Kean University STEM Building, 1075 Morris Avenue in Union Township. Breakfast is included and preregistration is required online at ucnj.org/ucmb.
“Mr. Chatman is known for his focus on leveraging character and personality to bring out the best in people, and improve overall effectiveness,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are delighted to welcome him to the Union County Means Business networking series.”
Tony Chatman has worked with hundreds of corporations and government agencies including the Chase Bank, Estee Lauder, NOAA and NASA.
Union County Means Business is an initiative of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, aimed at connecting the business community with hands-on guidance and resources for growth.
For more information about the Networking Breakfast and other Union County Means Business programs, visit ucnj.org/ucmb or contact Deana Mesaros by phone at 908-659-7412 or by email at dmesaros@ucnj.org.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that applications for the 2020 UC Kids Dig In grant program have been sent to all school districts in Union County. The program is designed to help schools provide students with new educational and community service activities, by building and tending vegetable gardens on their premises.
All schools in Union County with students in grades pre-K through 12 are eligible to apply for a Kids Dig In grant. The grants are funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
“School gardens offer many opportunities for hands-on learning across a range of academic subjects, and they also encourage students to learn about soil health, water conservation, pollinator preservation, and other environmental topics related to gardening,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
“UC Kids Dig In received an enthusiastic response from the start, and this year we hope to attract even more participants,” said Freeholder Chairman Christopher Hudak, Vice Chairman of the Trust Fund. “School gardens can be used to engage students in STEM topics and other subjects while providing healthy, inclusive outdoor activities.”
The UC Kids Dig In began in 2017 as an initiative of Freeholder Sergio Granados, Chairman of the Trust Fund. Now in its fourth year, the program has issued 172 grants for school gardens.
“UC Kids Dig In teaches kids about growing their own healthy food options and empowers them to help 
those in need, by donating 30% of their harvest to benefit local food pantries and shelters,” said Granados. “The grants are relatively small in size but their impact on the Union County community is enormous.”
Prior experience in gardening is not needed to qualify for a UC Kids Dig In grant. Awardees receive guidance from the UC Kids Dig In grant administrator, Groundwork Elizabeth.
Grant application forms have been sent to school superintendents in all Union County school districts. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 20 at 5:00 p.m.
Principals and educators who are interested in having their school apply for a grant can contact Victoria Durbin-Drake, Administrator, Office of the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund at vdurbin@ucnj.org or 908-558-2277.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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Union County Freeholder Angela Garretson and Freeholder Andrea Staten welcomed featured panelists Marilyn D. Davis and Richard T. Thigpen, Esq. to an educational “Lunch and Learn” event in the Union County administration building in Elizabeth. The 2020 Black History Month “Lunch and Learn” event paid tribute to “African-Americans and the Vote.” (Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
Union County Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella, Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, Freeholder Angela Garretson, Freeholder Rebecca L. Williams, Freeholder Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Freeholder Chris Hudak and Freeholder Andrea Staten presented Rahway Councilman David Brown with the eighth annual Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award during the County’s Black History Month celebration at the historic Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. They were joined by New Jersey State Senator Nicholas Scutari, former State Senator Raymond Lesniak, Rahway Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Holmes’ daughter Jackie Grey and friend Candice Frye-Teese.
“Councilman Brown has dedicated his life to public service and to assisting working families, youth and those less-advantaged through his various community endeavors,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “His outstanding contributions to both his hometown of Rahway and Union County exemplify the true meaning and essence of the Chester Holmes Humanitarian Award.”
The Humanitarian Award was created by the Freeholder Board in honor of the late former Freeholder Chester Holmes, who was known for his lifelong dedication to community service.
(Photos by Jim Lowney/County of Union)
